When asked about gambling, most people will definitely think of thrilling casinos on the Vegas Strip or traditional wagering activities on horse racing tracks. Classic betting opportunities are accessible across the globe, both online and offline. However, what if you look beyond mainstream options? Many countries have their region-specific traditions that shape their cultures and unite communities nationwide. Discovering the history of this activity in different parts of the world is nothing but thrilling, so take a look at some unusual options you’ve never heard of before.
Makruk Wagering in Thailand
This chess-like game is popular in Thailand; unlike the classic variation, it’s played at a low pace. Makruk is unique as it often includes wagering on the final outcome before the match begins. This feature makes the game even more exciting, allowing third parties to benefit from the process. Locals will sometimes bet on the number of moves it will take to reach a checkmate, or even gamble during tournaments with side bets on individual strategies. Wagering activities are officially restricted in Thailand, but this unusual game allows locals to get around limitations and have fun with gambling-like entertainment.
Camel Beauty Pageant Betting in Saudi Arabia
Most people in the world might have never known about camel beauty contests, but it remains a popular pastime in Saudi Arabia. Like in many countries in the region, betting activities aren’t allowed, which doesn’t prevent locals from pageant wagers. Yes, you got it right: camels are ranked according to their appearance, with stakes being really high. The event is traditional and culturally important, but many youngsters turn it into a profit-making opportunity. Underground betting shops accept predictions, but wagering for real money is strictly penalized in Saudi Arabia. Residents have already found a way around this prohibition and bet valuable items, such as watches or even expensive cars.
Cow Fighting Predictions in Bangladesh
These events are particularly prevalent in rural areas of the country, with the tradition dating back to the early 20th century. Unlike bullfights in Spain, this form of entertainment involves only a few animals in a controlled environment, with no physical human impact. You won’t find this betting option after downloading the 1xBet BD APK, as the application mainly focuses on mainstream disciplines. However, Bangladeshi residents can place informal predictions involving the following markets:
- Guessing which bull will win the match
- Predicting how long the fight will last
- Wagering on a current champion to maintain the title
- Betting on a breed-specific performance
While not officially legalized, these betting opportunities are widespread during rural festivals in Bangladesh. Risk-seekers in the country don’t lack access to international bookmaker sites, but the industry remains officially a grey area. To avoid unnecessary hassle, some punters prefer to engage in offline cow-fighting predictions and get the chance to win some real money.
Gambling on Monsoon Rains in India
In ancient times, people believed they could cause rain by sticking to specific rituals, and this trend shaped this weird betting option in India. It’s not officially available on local bookmaker websites, but the tradition is still maintained. People engage in speculative wagering and predict the possibility and severity of monsoon rains, which is especially popular in rural areas and local agricultural communities. Rainfall is critical for many, so predicting their timing and duration is not only entertaining but also beneficial. While this may sound really unusual for fans of traditional betting opportunities, the practice is deeply embedded in farming culture and often seen as a form of weather-watching activity that goes back generations.
Bird Signing Competitions in Southeast Asia
As a rule, punters prefer to bet on traditional competitions, as analyzing some typical patterns in football, cricket, or tennis helps them make a more beneficial prediction. However, in some parts of Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, bird-signing tournaments are pretty common. Owners of prized songbirds, particularly species like the red-whiskered bulbul, train their pets for years to sing in precise, melodious patterns.
Many perceive this as fun entertainment, but for others, it’s a massive business opportunity that brings high potential in the long run. Judges are involved in contests. Like in widespread disciplines, they evaluate birds’ performance and provide them with scores. Bettors can try to guess which animal will become the winner or be disqualified first. This trend may seem really weird for residents of Europe or North America, but locals never miss the chance to try their luck.
Ferret-Legging in England
This is probably the weirdest betting option ever, so avoiding it on this list would be a real crime. Here, participants put live ferrets in their trousers and must remain calm for as long as possible. The audience is actively participating in betting during this period: many prefer to predict who will last longer or which player will give up too early. You won’t find this wagering tradition in online sportsbooks; there’s hardly anything more niche than ferret-legging. It’s still unclear how someone came up with this idea, but the fact is the fact: it still exists.